Unemployment still on the rise

Numbers below last year’s rate for January

Stanislaus County’s unemployment rate grew in the first month of 2012 according to the latest figures from the Economic Development Department, but the numbers did reflect a modest sign of recovery, albeit slowly.

The unemployment rate for January in Stanislaus County came in at 16.9 percent, up from a revised rate of 16.2 percent in December.

The county’s unemployment rate, while still among the highest in the state, is showing some improvement. The unemployment numbers were well below last year’s rate of 18.2 percent and the year-ago estimate of 18.4 percent.

In Merced County the unemployment rate grew to 19.5 percent in January, up from a rate of 18.7 percent in December. San Joaquin County’s rate increased from 15.9 percent in December to 16.6 percent in January.

The unemployment rate in California was 11.3 percent and the nation’s was at 8.8 percent for the same time period, according to the EDD.

EDD data shows it is typical for unemployment rates to rise in January as seasonal jobs come to an end.

There were a few industries in Stanislaus County that recorded job growth from the year over. Construction grew by 1.8 percent; Trade, Transportation and Utilities saw an overall growth of 1 percent; and financial activities grew by 1.9 percent.

While some sectors saw improvements in the year over rate between January 2011 and January 2012, all sectors reported job losses between December 2011 and January 2012 with retail taking the largest losses, specifically among clothing stores, according to the EDD data.

There were an estimated 39,500 people unemployed in Stanislaus County during January, with an estimated 3,800 job posting advertisements.

Turlock’s unemployment rate for January came in at 12.9 percent, up from 12.3 percent. Denair was at 9.4 percent, up from 8.9 percent. Hughson’s rate grew to 21.8 percent, up from 20.8 percent and Keyes recorded a rate of 28.8 percent, up from 27.7 percent.